GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Circle Theatre is the latest theater to cancel a planned production of Woody Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway."

The 66-year-old Grand Rapids community theater, housed at Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, says the rare move is to show solidarity for the #MeToo and Time's Up movement.

"In light of the current dialogue of sexual misconduct and harassment, 'Bullets Over Broadway' author Woody Allen has come under intense scrutiny, which has lead us to reconsider producing this show at Circle Theatre," the theater said in a letter emailed to patrons Jan. 31.

The letter was signed by Lynne Brown Tepper, the theater's artistic director, and Derek Call, president of the board of directors.

"We find ourselves in a place in time where the landscape of the arts and entertainment is changing rapidly and deserves our continued attention and thought. It's an honor not only to stand in solidarity with those who demand change, but to be a part of that, right here in West Michigan," they wrote in the letter.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dear friends of...

Circle's decision comes about week after Goodspeed Opera House made the same decision following a resurgence of allegations that Allen molested his daughter, Dylan Farrow in 1992. Farrow, 32, who wrote about her experience in a 2014 New York Times essay, is getting more attention since the #MeToo movement gained traction in 2017.

The musical, based on Allen's 1994 film about a young playwright whose first Broadway play is financed by a gangster, was announced in September as one of Circle's main stage productions.

Allen has claimed the allegations were retaliation by his former lover, Mia Farrow, for having a relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, her adopted daughter, whom he married.

In the last year, a growing number of people in the entertainment community have distanced themselves from the famous director/writer, now 82.

Goodspeed Opera House's decision sparked international headlines because the renowned regional theater is considered "the Home of the American Musical" as the birthplace of classic musicals such as "Annie", "Man of LaMancha" and "Shenandoah."

The news prompted some of Circle's volunteers and members to ask if the theater was considering doing the same, said Noddea Skidmore, Circle's director of creative and audience development.

She said Circle's stance on Allen had to let the legal system determine his guilt, but the public conversation about sexual abuse and harassment has grown louder in recent months. It was an issue that the theater's executive team was also discussing.

"We knew the time is right, and we needed to listen to our own community and the entertainment community beyond Grand Rapids," Skidmore said.

Circle is replacing Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway" with "On The Town," a musical about three sailors during World War II seeking romance and adventure on a 24-hour leave in New York City. It offers a similar level of nostalgia.

So far, the theater group is getting praise from its patrons for making the switch. The change won't have a financial impact on the theater because auditions aren't until March.

Tickets already bought for "Bullets Over Broadway" will be automatically transferred to "On The Town" for the same date. Circle Theatre is also giving people the option of canceling or rescheduling their tickets after Feb. 5